Program Overview
As a Mental Health technician, you'll provide front-line care and support to patients facing mental health challenges. With a blend of empathy, communication skills, and clinical knowledge, you’ll help patients navigate their journey toward healing.
As members of the multidisciplinary health-care team in mental-health services, mental health technicians work in various facilities, including hospitals, residential treatment centers, outpatient clinics and other areas, assisting with the care of patients with behavioral and developmental disorders.
Mental Health Technicians provide support to patients, ensuring their needs are met through assisting with activities of daily living and more. You can prepare for this role by taking courses in psychology, nursing and health sciences.
This 17 credit-hour program will help with the Level 1 exam for national certification from the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT). This certification is designed to allow completers to gain recognition as nursing paraprofessionals leading to better wages and advancement.
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| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CNA 111 | Nursing Assistant Training | 4 |
Description: Provides theory and training in the basic skills essential to the practice of health care workers who will assist the nurse in the care of patients in a variety of health care settings. Includes simulated practice and opportunity for clinical application. This course is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Health Regulations. Successful completion is required for application for the Nurse Aide Competency Exam. NOTE: Students are required to have a valid Social Security number, pass a criminal background check, and meet health requirements for the clinical portion of the class. Special fees apply. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | ||
| CNA 112 | Nursing Assistant Training: Clinical Experience | 2 |
Description: Provides lab and clinical training in the basic skills essential to the practice of health care workers who will assist the nurse in the care of patients in a variety of health care settings. This course will be held off campus for the clinical experience. Includes simulated practice and opportunity for clinical application. This course is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Health Regulations. Successful completion is required for application for the Nurse Aide Competency Exam. NOTE: Students are required to have a valid Social Security number, pass a criminal background check and meet health requirements. Special fees apply. Prerequisite: CNA 111. Lecture Hours: 0 Lab Hours: 6 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | ||
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with an emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary and classic psychological investigation. Emphasizes psychological theories, principles, and research applications. Introduces the divisions of the American Psychological Association. References biological processes, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, mental disorders, intelligence, aptitude, personality, development daily life and everyday problems. IAI S6 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | ||
| PSY 228 | Psychology of Human Development | 3 |
Description: Investigates the psychological development of humans from conception to death, through grief and bereavement. Investigates the theories, empirically derived science and principles of developmental researchers and developmental psychologists. Emphasizes cultural and/or international contexts as well as normative and non-normative patterns of development. Discusses mortality throughout the life-span. Integrates developmental psychopathologies. IAI S6 902 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | ||
| NUR 115 | Concepts of Psychiatric Care | 2 |
Description: Establishes a firm basis on which to build subsequent psych tech/nursing courses. Examines the essential concepts of mental health care including basic mental health nursing concepts, therapeutic and safe environments, nonpharmacological treatments, psychobiological disorders, psychopharmacological therapies, psychiatric emergencies and specific populations. Prerequisite: Admission into the Psych Tech program and CNA 111, CNA 112, PSY 101, BIO 135 - may accept BIO 260 and 261 as course substitution - with grades of C or better. Corequisite: PSY 228, PSY 230, and SPE 215. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 2 Class Schedule: Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | ||
| NUR 230 | Mental Health Communities and Practicum | 3 |
Description: Prepares students for employment as psychiatric technicians. Includes a review of nursing assistant skills, psychopathology, DSM diagnostics, strengths perspective, bio-psycho-social assessments, and psychotropic medications. Explores the responsibilities of mental health technicians who work under the supervision of a psychiatrist, registered nurse, or social worker; as well as participate in the development and implementation of therapeutic treatment plans for persons with mental disorders; particularly those receiving treatment in an inpatient setting. Provides experiences in mental health facilities including residential, acute and out-patient locations. Emphasis will be on the collaborative care and management of groups of patients with selected disorders. The clinical experiences will enable students to gain practical experience utilizing critical thinking, teaching–learning principles and therapeutic communication when providing care to multiple patients or residents in the clinical setting. Prerequisite: HSC 165, HSC 213, HSC 225, SPE 200, SPE 215, PSY 228, PSY 230, NUR 115 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: NUR 208 and NUR 225. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 | ||
| Total Hours | 17 | |
Mental Health technicians are in strong demand in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin region, with job growth expected to increase by 6.5% over the next 7 years. Some of the most common job titles posted include Behavior Health Technicians, Mental Health Technicians, Psych Technicians and Behavioral Health Specialists.
Top Chicago-area employers include Ascension, Northwestern Medicine, Northshore University
Health System, and the State of Illinois. To learn more visit the Mental Health Technician Career Profile
(Source: Lightcast)
For more information about starting your nursing education at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.